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Today's News

This time of year, we’re reminded of why we love living in a small community.
There are parades, church programs, school performances, community events and, of course, the general hustle and bustle of holiday shopping.
The beauty of those events in a small town is that we know many of the people involved. We see our friends and neighbors at the events. And we marvel at the talents displayed our young people at the band and choral concerts.

Nov. 29
• 8:58 a.m. – Officers handled a two-vehicle accident on the parking lot of County Market on Veterans Avenue. No tickets were issued, and no injuries were reported.
• 1:19 p.m. – Officers handled a two-vehicle accident at Fourth and Gallatin streets. No tickets were issued, and no injuries were reported.
• Officers issued one warning ticket for speeding and two warning tickets for improper lighting.
Dec. 2

• Nathan D. Livingood, 24, Bethany, was arrested on Dec. 6 for failure to appear in court on a charge of driving under the influence. Bond was $3,500.
• David J. Ruholl, 28, Charleston, was arrested on Dec. 6 for failure to appear in court in Fayette and Coles counties. Bond was $500 cash.
• Stoney W. Lewis, 18, 507 W. Orchards St., Vandalia, was arrested on Dec. 5 on a charge of aggravated domestic battery. He was released at the order of the state’s attorney’s office.

✔ TOPS IL 2490 will meet from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Ramsey. Weigh-in is from 9-9:30 a.m. For more information, contact Dovie Heaton-Bergin at 283-1729.
✔ TOPS IL 1872, Ramsey, will meet at the Christian Church in Ramsey. Weigh-in is at 6:20 p.m., and the meeting is at 7 p.m.
✔ The Vandalia Junior High School winter band concert will be held at 7 p.m. at the school.
Saturday, December 10

Star, the Little White Dove…
…has decorated her cage for Christmas with greenery, red ribbon and her stocking.
The falling snow flakes Monday really seemed to usher in the season. The Brownstown village workers have put up the Christmas decorations, and they light the streets prettily.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Wednesday, Dec. 7
• Wright’s Corner Unit of Home and Community Education Christmas party, 11 a.m., Mary Ann’s Restaurant. Members are to take items for the Caring and Sharing boxes.
• St. James Hornets 4-H Club, 7 p.m., Christmas party. Those attending are to take an item for the Caring and Sharing, a gift for a gift exchange and finger food.
Thursday, Dec. 8

Weekend Visitors
Mahala Harpster of Cape Girardeau, Mo., and Nathan Jacquin of Washington, Mo., spent the weekend with Mahala’s parents Dane and Belinda Harpster of St. Peter.
On Saturday, Mahala went to Stewardson to pick up her Dalmatian puppy, Norman.
Marriage
Tony Farthing of Salem and Julie Roberts of Salem were married on Saturday at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.
Tony is the son of Arnold and Shirley Farthing of Salem, and Julie is the daughter of John and Sue Roberts of Farina.
St. Peter Church

Santa Claus arrived in town on Saturday to participate in the Vandalia Rotary Club's Christmas Parade.

In the first photo, Laura Carter makes sure that 3-year-old Addison Keeling sees Santa coming down Gallatin Street. In the second photo, Kaitlynn Warner, age 2, visits with Jolly Old St. Nick in the gazebo in Lincoln Park after the parade.

As one drives or walks through downtown Vandalia, one notices changes have been, and are being, made. Vehicles are parked along both sides of the streets, and people can be seen walking along, carrying shopping bags with their purchases.

Several new shops have opened with various services, and the businesses that have persevered the lagging economy, large competition and out-of-town shopping have faithfully stayed in downtown Vandalia.